Disconnecting switch



Dec. 18, 1928. 1,695,868

J. STOLZ DISCONNECTING SWITCH 4 Filed Oct. 1, 1925 k%/Z 4 l4 IINVENTOR Joseph 570/2.

4 I i-W wiz wu ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENr ;o IcE.

aosnrn -STOLZ, or BEnLm-ommmmmaune, GERMANY, as frenoa ro WESTING- nousn nnncrnrc & mmnmcrname COMPANY, A coaroaarron or PENNSYL- VANILA.

DISCONNEGTIN G SWITCH.

My invention relates to electrical circuit interrupting devices and particularly to disconnecting switches.

One object of my invention is to provide a disconnecting switch that shall be ca ableof easily and efliciently breaking a mant e of ice surrounding the contact jaws.

Another ob ect of my invention is to pro vide a disconnecting switchof the pivoted type, in which the given a localrelative turning movement before the main movement of separation takes lace.

1 A further object of my invention is to provide a disconnecting switch of the pivoted insulator type in which the initial turning movement of the supporting insulator is utilized for the purpose of disrupting the ice mantle surrounding the contact members and the remaining portion of the turning movement is utilized for separatingthe contact members. Disconnecting switches are frequently mounted out of doors in climates where they are subject to heavy falls of sleet and the resultin accumulation of heavy mantles of ice. buch switches are supported on insulators that are usually of porcelain or the like and that are capable of withstanding heavy compression stresses, but are relatively weak under tension and torsional strains or torque. When such insulators are caused to move a switch blade out of. an ice-covered switch jaw, it frequently happens that a quantity of ice is placed under compression in the switch jaw, large bending moments must be applied to the insulator in order to open the switch.

Ice, however, is relatively weak under tension.

Accordingly, I propose to initially pry the switch jaws apart in a direction such as to place any obstructing ice under tension, and thereby crack it before attempting to mo e the switch blade out of the switch jaw. 1 accomplish this result by providing the insulating support with 2. lug cooperating with a second lug on the switch blade, such that the initial turning movement on the insulator turns the switch blade about its longitudinal axis, after which movement the entire switch blade moves about the axis of the contact members, are I with the result that veryv 59,844, and in Germany November 1, 19M.

insulator during the movement of the separation of the contact members.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a disconnecting switch embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in elevation, of the operating details of my invention.

Fig. .3 is asectional view of the operating mechanism, taken along section line IIIIII 0f Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a plan view of the supporting insulator and plate attached thereto.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view ofv the switch blade and jaw in their closed position.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the switch blade and jaw showing their-relative positions during the initial movement of, circuit interruption.

My invention comprises, in general, a base 1 on which are'mounted stationary supporting insulators 2 and a rotatable supporting insulator 3, the former insulators supporting'switch jaws 4 and the latter insulator supporting an elongated switch blade 5 for cooperation with the contact jaws 4 together with an operating mechanism 6, hereinafter more fully described. While I have shown the rotatable insulator 3 in combination with a pair of stationary insulators 2, it is obvious that it is capable of use with but a single stationary insulator.

The rotatable insulator 3 is surmounted by a cap to which is attached a plate 8 by means of bolts 9 passing through elongated slots 11. The bolts 9 seat loosely in the slots 11 in order that relative movement may be had between the'cap-7 and the plate 8. The ca-p'7 is provided with an upstanding lug .12

havinga sloping face that constitutes a portion of the operating mechanism'6. A suitthe contact reduced by vided with an outwardly projecting lug 17 that cooperates with the lug 12 heretofore described. When the inclined face of the lug 12 is moved under the lug 17, the switch blade '5 is turned about its longitudinal axis.

Referrin particularly to Figs. 5 and6, the switch blade 5 terminates in square faces 18 that normally fit snugly between the switch jaws 4, but which, when the switch blade 5 is turned about its longitudinal axis, serve to pry the switch jaws t apart in the manner shown in Fig. 6. If the switch aws 4 are covered with a mantle of ice, their separation by the movement of the square portions 18 serves to place such ice under tension and to crack it, rather than necessitating the removing of the ice by straight compressive forces with the necessarily increased turning moments on the insulator 3.

In the circuit-opening movement of a dis connecting switch embodying my invention, a turning movement is given to the operating rod 13, and the insulator 3 and cap 7 are turned while the plate 11 remains stationary by reason of the engagement of the jaws 4 and the contact blade 5. As the cap 7 turns, the lug 12 moves under the lug 17, and by reason of the inclined face of the former, the latter is lifted thereby turning the contact blade 5 with the result that the square ends 18 pry the contact jaws apart, as is shown in Fig. 6. Thisturning movement continues until the screws 9 engage the ends of their associated slots 11, which position is so designed that the lug 12 does not pass by the lug 17. Further turning movement of the insulator 3 is transmitted through the screws 9 and plate 11 directly to the contact blade 5 which moves out from between the contact jaws 4.

During closing movement of the disconnecting switch, the lug 12 is first moved from under the lug 17 and the square portions of the contact blade 5 assume the relative angular positions to the Contact jaws 4 shown in Fig. 5.

Further turning movement of the insulator 3 causes the square portions 18 to enter jaws 1, thereby closing the disconnectingswitch.

It will thus be seen that I have devised a disconnecting switch wherein the initial opening movement serves to break under tension, any ice that may have accumulated in the contactjaws, after which the additional turning movement of the insulator serves to disconnect the contact members. The stresses placed upon the operating and supporting insulator are accordingly materially eliminating the necessity for breaking the ice mantle by compressive forces, as would be necessary were the ice not initially broken by being placed under tension.

It will be understood that suchmodifications in the arrangement and disposition of the several parts may be made as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In a switch structure, a pair of contact jaws, an axially rotatable contact member having means for spreading the jaws when axially rotated during opening movement and a pivotal support for one of the contact members comprising means for turning one of the contact members about its axis prior to the separation of the contact members.

2. In a switch structure, a jaw member, an axially rotatable blade member having means for spreading the jaws when axially rotated during opening movement, and a pivotal support for one of the members, port comprising means for initially turning the supported member about the latters axis.

3. In a switch structure, a jaw member, an axially rota-table blade member having means for spreading the aws when axially rotated during opening movement, and a pivotal support for one of the members, the pivotal support comprising means for initially turning the supported member about the latters axis in advance of the turning movement about the pivotal support to separate the members.

4. In a switch structure, a rotatably mounted insulator, a plate for the insulator having relative movement thereto, a member rotatably supported by the plate, and means for turning the supported member about an axis other than that of the insulator during relative movement between the in sulator-and the plate.

5. In a switch structure, a rotatably mounted insulator, a plate for the insulator having relative movement thereto, a member rotatably supported by the plate, a lug on the supporting member, and a cooperating lug on the insulator, whereby upon rotation of the insulator, the lugs coact to initially turn the supported member about its axis whereupon the several parts turn about the axis of the insulator.

6. In a switch structure, a rotatably mounted insulator, a plate for the insulator having relative movement thereto, a contact member movably supported by the plate, a cooperating stationary contact member, a lug on the first named contact member, and a cooperating lug on the insulator, whereby, upon initial turning movement of the in sulator, the lugs engage and rotate the sup ported contact member, after which the several parts turn about the axis of the insulator.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 8th day of September, 1925.

JOSEPH STOLZ.

the pivotal sup- 

